HÀ NỘI — A series of special cultural and art events will take place in France this month to mark the 45th anniversary of Việt Nam - France diplomatic ties.

As part of the events, more than 70 art works of sculpture and painting featuring typical Vietnamese countryside culture by People’s Artist and former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Vương Duy Biên, will be displayed at the exhibition titled Cuộc Sống là Như Vậy…(That is Life…).

The exhibition will be accompanied by music and dance performances by 10 artists from the Việt Nam National Puppetry Theatre.

Specifically, French viewers will enjoy a new performance programme that combines contemporary dances with the art of puppetry at the same time as painting and sculpture works.

According to the artist, the event aims to help Western art lovers access and better understand Vietnamese culture.

Performers will present pieces including Đi Cấy (Rice Transplanting), Ra Đồng (In the Field), Chăn Trâu (Buffalo Grazing), Đôi Bạn (Two Friends) and Gia Đình (Family) to help viewers visualise the daily working life and feeling of farmers in the Vietnamese countryside.

People’s Artist Biên was born in 1958 in Hà Nội to a family that has been making art for generations and graduated from the city’s Art University in 1987.

Most of his paintings focus on farmers and bucolic scenery to show that he ponders the countryside and rural life.

Musician Nguyễn Trọng Tạo once said Biên’s paintings were never without the image of farmers.

“The sense for rural life is strong in Biên’s art. His art space helps him find more creation and dedication,” Tạo said.

He has also had many solo silk painting exhibitions held in the capital and other countries like Poland, Japan, France, Germany and mainland China, gaining much appreciation from art experts and admirers.

Biên’s exhibition will take place from September 18-22 in District 13 and from September 26-29 in Versailles.

VN Culture Week in France

Also in Versailles from September 26-29, the Việt Nam Tourism and Culture Week in France will be held as part of a series of activities to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Việt Nam - France diplomatic ties.

The event will be held by Việt Nam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy in France, Việt Nam Tourism Ambassador to France and city of Versailles.

Activities will include Biên’s exhibition, water puppetry performances, a show on áo dài (traditional dress) by designer Lan Hương, performances of traditional music, exhibition on Vietnamese culture through archives, and seminars on Vietnamese tourism.

The event will contribute to promoting and introducing the unique culture of Việt Nam to French, thus fostering bilateral cooperative relations in all fields. — VNS